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Ex-coach Haney: 'Tiger's very complex'

Seventh heaven – Tiger Woods clinched his first PGA Tour title since September 2009 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday. The 14-time major winner is no stranger to success at the Bay Hill tournament, having tasted victory there on a record six previous occasions.

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Tiger Woods' Bay Hill victories7 photos

The first of many – Woods picked up his first win at the tournament hosted by seven-time major winner Arnold Palmer in 2000, beating fellow American Davis Love III by four shots.

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Tiger Woods' Bay Hill victories7 photos

Back-to-back wins – Woods retained his title in 2001, finishing the tournament 18 under par.

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Tiger Woods' Bay Hill victories7 photos

Hat-trick – And Woods was once again victorious at Bay Hill in 2002, sealing a hat-trick of wins at the event.

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Tiger Woods' Bay Hill victories7 photos

Record win – In 2003, Woods became the first player to win the same tournament four years in a row since Gene Sarazen at the Miami Open in 1930 as he triumphed by a huge 11 shots.

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Tiger Woods' Bay Hill victories7 photos

Five star – Woods' fifth win at Bay Hill came in 2008 courtesy of a 25-putt on the final hole. It was the American's third successive PGA Tour victory that year, and fifth in a row going back to 2007. He won two out of three before that run, tying for second in the other.

Haney spent over 100 days in the company of Woods every year, even staying at his Florida home on occasions.

With regular phone conversations, it amounted to the closest relationship Haney has ever had with a player. But they were never really close, according to Haney.

"Tiger is pretty closed off. You don't really get a lot of communication from him, or deep conversations," he said.

The book reflects "exactly what happened" during their time together right down to publication of some text messages Haney sent to Woods.

"I feel like I've been a great friend to you. I don't feel like I've gotten that in return," reads one.

It's a move which has come in for criticism from some fellow coaches.

Rick Smith, former coach of Phil Mickelson, recently said: "I'd rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I violate the code of player/teacher confidentiality. For all the guys who've committed their lives to teaching, this should be very upsetting."

But Haney rejects charges of betrayal saying the book is honest and fair.

"Those rules are not written rules. Those might be rules that Rick and obviously some other people think are rules. But I wasn't bound by any agreement. I didn't violate any agreement," Haney said.

The "great friend" text was sent when he resigned and reflects what Haney believes to be the truth.

"I always gave an answer that was in the best interest of Tiger Woods. And I didn't feel like that happened in return," Haney said.

But there wasn't one single thing which made him want to terminate their relationship.

"We had a great time together. Tiger won a lot of tournaments. He won 45% of his tournaments the last three years I worked with him," Haney said.

"It was just time for me to go. You know, I had a great time. It was the greatest opportunity a coach or teacher could have. I'm very thankful for it."

Haney was "shocked" when the scandal about Woods' personal life broke in November 2009.

"I don't think it would be my place necessarily as a coach (to have said something), but it would be my place, I feel like, as a friend. I certainly would have said something and I know Steve Williams would have said something too."

Haney detects that a post-scandal Woods may have "softened" but says he's getting back to his best.

"He's definitely striking the ball well. I mean, he finished first in greens in regulation, which for the years that I worked with Tiger, I thought that was a key statistic. He was always first in greens in regulation, or near the top."

But it's his recent improvement on the greens which Haney thinks will be key to success in the coming weeks.

"The great thing about Bay Hill to me was that his putting was good. He finished fourth in putting. That's a key statistic. Every player that's won on the PGA tour this year has finished top 10 in putting," he said.

"And going to Augusta, that's the most important thing. Tiger would have won five or six green jackets in a row if he would have fewer than, you know, two three-putts for the 72 holes.

"So if he can avoid three-putts at Augusta, he'll be very difficult to beat. He's great on that golf course. It fits his game."